There are many reasons that people love to travel. Some people make it a social occasion, having friends and family be the focus of their trip. This is especially true when people move away and haven’t seen loved ones in a while. Many families hold annual reunions in various locations to get together while exploring new sights. Students looking to expand their horizons before committing academically to a school might choose to take a gap year or longer to find themselves.  Some people travel seasonally to escape unpleasant weather conditions, whereas an unwavering wanderlust compels others to explore every culture possible. There is another group of travels, however. A niche group that travels solely to satisfy an obsession or fascination with a particular subject. History buffs are a perfect example.

Some people are fascinated by the idea of ancient sites and their roles throughout history. Mount Vesuvius’ complete decimation of Pompeii is a chance to see first-hand how mighty Mother Nature is. Pompeii is a place of devastation and morbid fascination because of how much we’ve been able to learn. Archaeologists figured out how to preserve residents’ bodies by pouring plaster into the encased ash, thereby giving a rare glimpse into the exact moment of death.

Chichén Itzá is another famous historical destination. An ancient city in Mexico, it is visited by many Mayan ruin aficionados. Between 600-1200 AD, jade and gold were offered to the gods, as well as human sacrifices. The iconic steep pyramid, El Castillo, is considered one of the most important Mayan historical structures.

Parts of The Great Wall of China date back to the third century BC, as Emperor Qin Shi Huang tried to keep out Mongolia’s people. It was then extended during the Ming dynasty throughout the 14th to the 17th centuries.

The Taj Mahal in India is a true testament to undying love when combined with infinite wealth. Emperor Shah Jahan had the white marble tomb built in the 1600s. It holds the title of being one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Visitors by the millions flock to visit this structure that is the same symmetry on each side.

Stonehenge is still one of those historical sites that will prolong alien musings. Stones weighing between 25-30 tons were somehow transported from Wales to England and are still standing today, despite 3,000 years of time and elements.

This article was originally published on JeanetMaduroDePolanco.com